How One Hermit Survived Almost 30 Years In The Woods
Imagine you own a vacation home in rural Maine. You may have heard legends of a mythical creature that lurks in the shadows and breaks into people's homes. Suddenly, you begin to notice there is food missing from your pantry. Then, some of your clothes are gone. Although there is no proof of a break-in, you can't help but feel that something is wrong.
This is the sort of terror that the residents of North Pond lived in for 27 years, but that's also the way the last true hermit managed to survive alone in the woods for so long. Read on to learn about who the hermit really was.
Something Strange Began Happening At North Pond
In the late '80s, something strange was happening to the community of North Pond, Maine. Residents found batteries missing from flashlights and certain food missing from their refrigerators.
Propane tanks that were believed to be full were suddenly completely empty. Families kept pointing fingers at each other. They were sure none of them would do anything so trivial, which only added to the confusion. People drove themselves crazy trying to find an explanation for these mysterious happenings.
Multiple Burglaries Terrorized This Rural Vacation Spot
Soon, things started getting menacing. Residents would notice little details, such as scratch marks on doorframes and chipped wood next to window locks. More things went missing. It was clear that North Pond was being burglarized.
People changed their locks and installed security systems to no avail. They didn't know if it was one person or a group of people that were committing these crimes and worse, if they were dangerous. For almost 30 years, North Pond residents felt haunted by something or someone, but they didn't know what or who.
People Couldn't Catch Whoever Was Committing These Crimes
The citizens of North Pond were as vigilant as they could be. North Pond is a rural area, however, and permanent residents didn't live close enough to each other to be able to catch anything. Other cabins in the area were vacation homes that were vacant a majority of the time.
Thefts were reported to local authorities, but they could do little to help. At one point a resident posted a note on their door urging the burglar not to break in. The resident even offered to leave out whatever the culprit(s) needed if they just let them know. There was never a reply. The robberies continued. Before the authorities could figure it out, a dangerous urban legend was born...
The Legend Of The North Pond Hermit Was Born
Even more peculiar than the mysterious robberies were the items that were being stolen. Batteries, kitchenware, clothes, books, magazines, and junk food were always reported missing. But items of immense monetary value were never taken from these homes.
As these burglaries raged on for decades the person or persons responsible have become fodder for local legends. Ghost stories about the "North Pond Hermit" were swapped around the campfire. With no answers for so long, possible explanations for the thefts have veered into myths. The North Pond Hermit was also called the "Hungry Man," the "stealthy yeti," or "Maine's Loch Ness monster."
The Police Were Hardly Any Help
Local authorities tried everything to catch the North Pond Hermit over the years. Two county sheriff's departments, the Maine state police, and even the game warden service conducted foot searches, flyovers, and even dusted fingerprints with no luck.
But after so many years, Maine game warden Sergeant Terry Hughes became obsessed. He was determined to catch the hermit. With the help of border patrol agents, he installed top secret Homeland Security equipment at the Pine Tree Camp at North Pond where he often volunteered. Sure that the hermit would strike their kitchen in the off-season, he waited for about two weeks.
Sergeant Hughes Finally Hit A Breakthrough
On a brisk April night just after 1 A.M., Hughes's motion detectors went off. The hermit was at the camp. Having had this moment planned down to a 'T', Hughes rushed out of his home and made it to the camp in about four minutes.
He crept up to the kitchen window to confirm his suspicions. He spotted a single man filling up his backpack, but the man was a little chubby and clean shaven — not what he expected. Could this seemingly normal guy be the burglar who had been terrorizing North Pond for almost 30 years?
The Man He Saw Was Not What He Expected
Careful to be discreet so as to not scare off the burglar, Hughes quietly called for backup. He phoned Maine State Police Trooper Diane Vance, who had also been chasing down the hermit for many years.
Hughes was just a game warden, so it was Vance that actually had more authority to make a legitimate arrest. He noticed the burglar head toward an exit different from where he'd entered. Knowing that the hermit often escaped without a trace, Hughes knew this would be his only chance to catch him. As the burglar slipped out of the dining hall, Hughes ambushed him.
The North Pond Hermit Was Finally Caught
"Get on the ground!" Hughes bellowed. The burglar made no attempt to escape and did not resist. Candy spilled out of his pockets as he lay facedown. The North Pond Hermit was finally apprehended.
Once Vance arrived, the North Pond Hermit was placed in handcuffs and they sat him down for questioning. This man was strangely pale, wore outdated glasses, and had on some lightly worn winter clothes. He was clean, didn't smell, but had no identification. He refused to speak, so Hughes eventually left him alone with Vance. After they gave him water, he eventually started to talk.
The Hermit's True Identity Is Revealed
"My name is Christopher Thomas Knight," the man told Vance. She also learned that he was born on December 7, 1965. He had no address or car, and he didn't pay taxes because he lived in the woods.
Knight didn't know how long he had been living in the woods. He stopped keeping track of months and years long before that. He did remember that the Chernobyl nuclear-plant disaster happened just before he decided to leave for the woods. That was in 1986. Knight was only 20 years old back then. He was 47 by the time he finally got caught in 2013.
Knight Didn't Resist Arrest Because He Was Ashamed
Christopher Thomas Knight confessed to his crimes almost immediately, admitting that he was ashamed. He had committed at least 40 robberies a year, which amounts to hundreds of break-ins.
Although it is a crime, it's pretty impressive that Knight got away with this for almost 30 years. He said he never broke in when someone was home and was careful to leave little to no trace. He only stole what was necessary — food, propane, clothes, reading materials. He did admit that everything he owned was stolen, except for his eyeglasses which were from the '80s.
He Was Actually From A Nearby Town
After looking him up in the system, Vance learned that Knight had no criminal record. He explained that he grew up in Albion, Maine, just under an hour away from where he was living in the woods.
Investigators soon found Knight's senior picture in the 1984 Lawrence High School yearbook. He was wearing the same exact glasses he had on when they found him. Though Vance was sure that Knight was not dangerous, he was still arrested and charged with burglary and theft. That night he was taken to the Kennebec County jail, where he slept indoors for the first time in 27 years.
Michael Finkel Wanted To Tell Knight's Story
It's a wonder why Knight decided to up and leave behind life as he knew it for a life of isolation in the woods. GQ journalist Michael Finkel exchanged letters with Knight and spent up to nine hours visiting him in jail to learn his story, which was later recounted in a book, The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit.
Knight told Finkel that he had a normal upbringing and "good parents," but made a point to say that "We're not emotionally bleeding all over each other. We're not touchy-feely. Stoicism is expected."
He Had A Normal Life Before Going Into The Woods
Knight grew up with four older brothers and a younger sister. Before going into the woods, Knight's outdoors experiences were from moose hunting trips with his father. They'd often sleep in the back of their pick up truck, under the stars.
He had good grades in high school but was a bit of a loner. After graduating early, Knight followed his older brothers and enrolled in a vocational electronics course at the Sylvania Technical School in Massachusetts. He then took a job installing home and vehicle alarm systems, skills that proved useful when he started breaking and entering.
One Day He Just Decided To Walk Away
In 1985, Knight bought a brand new Subaru Brat but he wouldn't be using it for too long. He quit his job after less than a year and drove back up to Maine, passing through his hometown without stopping.
"I drove until I was nearly out of gas. I took a small road. Then a small road off that small road. Then a trail off that," Knight told Finkel. After parking the car and leaving the keys in the center console, he was off. "I had a backpack and minimal stuff. I had no plans. I had no map. I didn't know where I was going. I just walked away."
He Wandered For Two Years Before He Found His Spot
Christopher Thomas Knight's life of solitude began in the summer of 1986. He started out by camping in one spot for about a week, before continuing on hiking south. Eventually, he lost track of where he was.
After roaming around for about two years, he found the perfect spot to settle in. Nestled between boulders and shaded by maple and hemlock trees, Knight's campsite wasn't noticeable if people were to pass by. You really had to search for it. He slept in a simple nylon tent that was covered with layers of brown tarp. Camouflage was key.
Eventually, He Had To Resort To Stealing Food
At first, Knight was able to get by foraging for food. He ate roadkill and took vegetables from people's gardens. But he knew that he couldn't sustain himself on vegetables alone and that's when he resorted to stealing.
"I was always scared when stealing. Always... It was usually 1 or 2 A.M. I'd go in, hit the cabinets, the refrigerator. In and out. My heart rate was soaring. It was not a comfortable act." Knight added, "I'm a thief. I induced fear. People have a right to be angry. But I have not lied."
No One Could Believe How He Possibly Survived Out There For So Long
People were skeptical that Knight survived all those years sleeping outside. Some even suggested that he ought to have slept inside one of the cabins he broke into, maybe even use the bathroom. But he insisted that he never once did any of that.
Knight's campsite was in a clearing that was about the size of a bedroom. He had an area for washing up, a nearby latrine and dump site, and a two-burner stove. People couldn't believe that Knight survived the harsh winters out in the wilderness, but he did. He spent all of the fall seasons preparing for it, bulking up on stolen junk food and alcohol.
He Only Spoke One Word To One Person In 27 Years
Knight was careful not to leave a traces of his presence anywhere he went. He'd scatter pine needles over borrowed canoes after using them and was careful not to venture out in winter, for fear of leaving footprints.
He never even got sick or had to see a doctor for almost 30 years — you have to be around people to catch something. For almost 30 years, Knight truly had no contact with the outside world. The last time he encountered another human, he recalls, was in the '90s. He passed a hiker in the woods and merely said, "hi." — the only time he spoke to someone in 27 years.
The Court Didn't Know What To Do With Him
Knight spent months in jail while they decided what to do with him. A case like this had no precedent. Citizens who were affected by Knight's crimes had mixed emotions once the truth was revealed.
For years North Pond residents had lost their peace of mind, not knowing what or who was lurking out there. But once they found out about Knight, many of them were sympathetic. Even though they were victims in the case, sending Knight to prison was too cruel of a punishment for someone that really meant no harm and just wanted to be left alone.
Christopher Thomas Knight Ultimately Wants To Be Left Alone
Six months after his arrest, Christopher Thomas Knight appeared in court and pleaded guilty to thirteen counts of burglary and theft. The Kennebec County Superior Court sentenced him to seven months in jail, much of which was already served while they were deliberating his case.
Knight was also sentenced to two years of probation, meeting with the judge every Monday and abstaining from alcohol. Within this time, he found a job with his brother and stayed with his mother in the house he grew up in. No one really knows what's become of him now, since he wants to continue to live as invisibly as possible.
Meet Mark Andre Of Arcata, California
Mark Andre has spent his life exploring the woods surrounding his hometown of Arcata, California. So growing up to become the town's environmental services director was a dream job for the northern California native.
There was little about the land that he did not know, pretty much having the surrounding area memorized as well as the back of his own hand. There was nothing that could surprise him in the woods, or so the environmentalist thought.
Mark Saw Something Out Of Place In The Forest
One day, while Mark was out in the Arcata Community Forest tagging trees to be harvested, he stumbled upon something strange. There was an object just past the trees that he had never seen before.
He was fairly certain that whatever it was, wasn't there the last time he was in this specific area of the woods. Even though he took care before walking up to the strange thing, Mark was not prepared for what he found.
Hidden In The Trees Was A Mysterious Cabin
Hidden in the trees and well camouflaged was an elaborate makeshift cabin. Mark had never seen something of its like before! One thing he did know was that it had been constructed in that spot illegally, so he needed to proceed with caution.
He wasn't sure what he was going to find inside of the little hut. If there was a person, were they armed and dangerous? Perhaps they thought Mark was intruding on their land! Thankfully, there was a padlock on the door, making him believe the place was empty.
Whoever Owned The Cabin Wasn't Expecting To Be Found
Even though Mark is well versed in the geography of the forest, he hadn't been to this exact area for some time. Since 1985, to be exact, back when he was just a forest technician.
One thing was clear, the person who built the cabin had no desire to be discovered, nor were they expecting to be. For a makeshift hut in the woods, the thing was very well put together and didn't look like it was going to succumb to any of the elements or be found.
It Was Small But With Plenty Of Room For One Person
It was pure luck that Mark happened to stumble upon the cabin. It was expertly placed within the tree line, and if you didn't know what to look for, you weren't going to find it. So whoever the owner was didn't have to fear getting kicked out by forest rangers.
The cabin measured roughly 12-feet wide and 15-feet high. Not a lot of space, but enough for a single person who is roughing it in the wilderness.
It Even Had A Front Porch And Awning
Mark also took note of its foundation. The entire thing was made of plywood covered in tarps, the builder even went as far as to give their little cabin a vaulted roof to make it feel more spacious. There was also a window, front porch, and awning to give it more of a homey vibe.
Whoever built the cabin in the woods clearly put a lot of time and effort into their architectural plan, making it their own. All Mark had to do now was muster up the courage to go inside.
The Cabin Was A Mystery Mark Wanted To Solve
Mark could only assume the cabin hadn't been found yet because of its isolated location and camouflaged-state. Both reasons are also most likely how the builder was able to construct the place without getting in trouble.
"I didn't see it until I was 12-feet from it," says Mark. "It's in the perfect out-of-the-way spot where it wouldn't be detected." Only, now Mark knew about its location and was getting increasingly more curious about it. The entire thing was a mystery he wanted to solve.
It Was Completely Isolated
What made the cabin even stranger was that there were no footprints or trails leading to or from its location. Also, there was no environmental abuse or littering surrounding the place. Whoever lived there clearly respected nature. Maybe they grew up in the woods like Mark.
After thoroughly inspecting the outside of the cabin and the surrounding land, there was nothing left for Mark to do but go inside. There was a padlock on the door, so no one was going to be inside. Right?
Mark Started To Feel Like He Was Being Watched
As Mark contemplated what to do he started to feel uneasy. The woods used to be his safe and familiar place where he could be alone with nature. Now, he felt tense. It was almost like he could feel each little sound in the wind, the murmur in the trees. For once, he didn't feel like he was alone.
Was someone watching him scout out the cabin? Mark could have sworn he felt a presence surrounding him. One thing was certain, he couldn't do this by himself.
Mark Brought In Reinforcements
Before going inside, Mark though it would be a smart idea to call two forest technicians, Javier Nogueira and Nick Manfredonia, for backup. Along with park ranger Heidi Groszmann, they ventured to the mysterious cabin in the woods.
Unfortunately, the ranger had to make a decision. As the cabin was technically on public land, they needed a search warrant to go inside. But what if someone was hurt? Leaving them would be irresponsible. After no one answered their multiple calls, ranger Groszmann made the call.
They Cut The Padlock
Together, they finally cut off the padlock on the front door. It took longer than any of them thought it would. But once it was off, they weren't sure what they were going to find inside the tiny cabin, they walked slowly. Their imaginations weren't even close to conjuring up what they actually found inside.
Because she was the only one with a weapon, Heidi entered the cabin first, shouting, "Arcata police!" Thankfully, they were alone. Whoever lived in the cabin was long gone.
They Tried To Figure Out Who Lived In The Cabin
When it was clear the four of them were alone, they started to scour the area, taking in all of the contents on the shelves, floors, and in the miscellaneous crates. The owner of the cabin might have been gone, but the place was definitely well-loved and lived in.
They wanted to see if they could figure out anything about the owner from the supplies. It would have been helpful if there were any pictures, but there was nothing.
From The Looks Of It, The Owner Was Not Struggling To Survive
The group quickly realized that the place was weirdly organized for a cabin in the woods. The living room and kitchen areas were tiny, and non-perishable canned foods and housekeeping supplies were neatly placed on built-in shelves.
Beside a rocking chair, there was a coffee table with a tea kettle, and directly across from that was a pot-bellied stove. Weirdly enough, the place seemed ordinary. It made them think that whoever was living there was not exactly "struggling in the wilderness."
They Suspected An Older Person Lived There
There was another shelf that contained various books, including Catch Me If You Can and Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. The four began to suspect that the owner of the cabin was older. A young person probably wouldn't pick up a book titled Public Secrets for fun.
There were also cassette tapes, which furthered their suspicions of the person's age. Still, they could only guess. Nothing else around the cabin gave any hint on who called the mysterious cabin home.
There Was A To-Do List And A Newspaper
But the books and old cassettes weren't the only things they found. There was also a handwritten "Things To Do And Get" list, which told them a bit more about the cabin's inhabitant, but not much. The list included dates and tasks, such as "build bench," "extend brush wall," "season cast irons," "get six-inch stovepipe flashing," and "get tongs."
There was also a copy of Humboldt State University's The Lumberjack newspaper, dated March 25, 2015. Between the list and newspaper, the group began to piece together a timeline when the owner might have lived in the cabin.
There Was No Concrete Evidence About Who Lived There
Weirdly enough, the team of four also found two driver's licenses, each had a different name and didn't help the team identify the owner. They could only assume that the person lived here seasonally.
But there were two licenses. Maybe, two people were living in the cabin, and not just one like the group had originally thought. Honestly, considering some of the heavy objects inside, it would make sense that it took two people to lift them through the forest. But that still wasn't concrete evidence.
The Group Really Wanted DNA
The group considered getting a forensics team down to the site. If anyone could find DNA linking the cabin to someone, it would be them! They really wanted to figure out who had so expertly built this cabin in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention how they were able to carry all of the heavier supplies into the forest without anyone noticing.
Mark couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous was going on. Was this person just an innocent person in the woods? Or were they something more sinister?
The Team Left An Eviction Notice On The Door
Unfortunately, it was getting dark. The team decided to call it a day because they didn't want to be in the middle of the forest when the sun completely set. That, and they didn't want to be near the cabin in case whoever owned the thing decided to come back in the middle of the night.
The group made their exit. But not before they left an eviction notice on the door. The cabin was sitting on a nature refuge, after all. They couldn't have guessed what happened next.
There Was A Strange Symbol On The Ground
Authorities returned to the cabin the next day, and what they found left them speechless. The place was completely deconstructed! The only trace that anyone had been there was a charcoal "squatters symbol" where the cabin once sat.
Michael McDowall, the natural resources technician for the Environmental Services Department, said "That's the cleanest camp cleanup I've ever seen. There wasn't a nail, not even a gum wrapper left behind." At least the environmentalists can't be mad at the squatter for littering!
The Cabin Remains A Mystery
Considering the cabin was illegally constructed, it was very unlikely that the cabin's owner was going to come forward. Still, it's pretty impressive that the person was able to construct it in the first place. Not to mention they were able to live there without anyone stumbling across it.
Considering all of the "amenities" the cabin had, it's possible that they were there for some time. But why seclude yourself in the forest away from the comforts of society? Whoever this person is clearly is a minimalist and survivalist and the mystery of their cabin might never be solved.
For Just $100, This Man Turned An Old Wooden Shack Into Something Extraordinary
The Rubble
Richard thought that buying a second house would cost him a lot of money, but when a man in Missouri told him about an old, run-down cabin, Richard saw it as an opportunity to live the lifestyle he has always wanted.
Richart paid $100 cash for the property, which included the totally decrepit wood cabin. The man offered it to him for free, but Richard insisted on paying him at least a hundred bucks.
Much To Be Desired
The cabin obviously wasn't in good shape. It quickly became clear to Richard that he had a lot of work to do if he wanted to live in an unsafe structure.
Richard's future home was full of debris, and its roof had collapsed completely. It looks dangerous just peering in through the doorway, never mind actually hanging out inside! Still, Richard decided he would spend his spare time fixing up the old shack.
It's Not Looking Good
Richard took some time to evaluate the structure and consider what elements of the shack could be saved. When he inspected the cabin, he realized that most of the wood was badly rotten.
He knew that he would have to tear most of the cabin down and rebuild it from the ground up. Still, he wanted to save any wood he could recapture to ensure some of the old home still remained.
Time To Get Busy
Richard marked all of the wooden boards on the outside of the cabin so he would know exactly how to arrange them after cleanup up the rot that had likely persisted for many years.
The actual cabin may have been badly run down, but just look at the beautiful scenery! Who wouldn't want to live in this oasis? That was a large motivating factor and as you'll soon see, he made the right choice.
New Discoveries
Richard enlisted his family to help him with this huge building job. It wasn't long before Richard's family discovered a natural spring nearby. That meant that they could create their own waterfront property!
Their discovery also meant they would spend a lot of time digging to unearth the spring which would provide an additional view for the newly renovated home. Now that the cabin was dismantled, Richard could move it anywhere he chose..
A Magical Moment
They reached the bedrock by digging into the spring by hand. Then they brought in bulldozers to dig out the rest of the pond. That's right. They built a pond.
The dock on the pond is a nice touch and showcases Richard's craftsmanship before we even see the final home project he completed. No small details were spared by this master builder, although after he laid the first logs it didn't seem like much of a project...
Laying The First Logs
After building a natural springs waterfront area, Richard knew for sure where he wanted to build his new cabin. Right by the pond would be the perfect location.
Now he was ready to begin reconstruction. He had all of his plans and his labels ready and he knew what he had to do. The start of the project would lead Richard to painstakingly build his new property from the ground up.
Rise To The Occasion
Richard wanted to "remain true to the spirit of the original construction," but that turned out to be pretty difficult. For one thing, they reached bedrock at about six feet below the ground.
That meant that they needed to build the cabin a few feet above the ground which would only add to the views the family enjoyed when the project was finally completed but more on that in a moment.
It's Starting To Look Like A Real House
They poured concrete to create the basement floor, and Richard gathered some more materials from the trees around his property.
They used white oak to form new floor joists, and split cedar shakes as shingles. A rustic front porch really brought the whole vision together. By using wood from the area Richard was able to blend his home in with its beautiful surrounding and the project was finally looking like something special.
Gotta Keep Warm
It was very important to Richard to include a hearth in his new wood cabin home. It just wouldn't be a proper log cabin without one and it would add to the country living appeal he was seeking to capture.
The Aiken family purposely chose a Rumford fireplace, which was common for log cabins between 1796 and 1850. The fireplace was a choice that would eventually add to the rustic nature of the home.
A Staircase Fit For A King
Richard's new wood cabin had an upper floor, and to get to that upper floor, they would need to build a staircase. Richard used a fallen oak tree to fashion a flight of gorgeous stairs.
Richard's choice to use repurposed wood meant he wouldn't have to cut down any of the beautiful trees in the area. Plus, the aged wood added a look that any carpenter would love to claim as their own.
The Finishing Touches
Richard knew that the door of his cabin would have to be perfect. It would be the first feature people would see when entering the house and it needed to feature a woodsy look.
The family brought materials and designs to a carpenter who turned them into the doors and windows of the cabin. The simple design did a great job of paying homage to the log cabin that had to be dismantled and then rebuilt.
Filling It In
Richard constructed his cabin out of organically shaped logs, so there's no way they could fit together perfectly on their own without destroying their natural look.
The family used chicken wire and an outdoor sealant to fill in the gaps between the logs. Sometimes a big project just takes a little bit of teamwork. The gapping in the wood mixed with the filler also helped to create a natural look.
What It Looks Like Inside
Now that the exterior of the cabin was complete, it was time to start decorating the interior. They brought in some rustic chairs and tables and stocked the fireplace with a whole bunch of wood.
This place was really starting to feel like home. Most exciting was the family's decision to avoid a modern look that would have taken away from their country retreat. The home might be new to them but it had an old-time feel.
The Perfect Dining Table
The Aikens' Amish neighbors used a fallen walnut tree and native white oak to build a harvest table.
The new harvest table designed to be light and easy to move so they could bring it closer to the fire when it was cold. This was an important feature since they wouldn't be running heaters into the home. These people really did think of everything as they built their country retreat.
Let The Light In
The candle chandelier in Richard's new country home makes for a great light source when electricity isn't available, and the peaked roof allows natural light to flow into the cabin.
Lighting is an often overlooked element of a house but it's so important to have windows that let in enough sunlight, especially when electricity isn't being routed into the house. Just look at the amazing window Richard installed high in the home's ceiling.
A Loft Bed For Maximum Comfort
What's a cabin in the woods without a loft bed? You've got to sleep somewhere. This little loft looks cozy and makes for a perfect way to slumber the night away while enjoying some fresh country air.
It has a warm, cozy vibe for a relaxing snooze after a long day of living in the woods and it maximizes the home's ability to house family members as they undoubtedly take advantage of the home on a regular basis.
Cooking Is Key
The Aiken family is really keen on cooking, so they knew their new place would need to have a hearth. The hearth can be used to cook everything from hot drinks to entire meals.
Dual purposes for the fireplace means the family didn't have to worry about building a full kitchen in a small face. Plus, nothing says country living like cooking over an open flame, especially when it's right inside your home!
